Formula 1 Stars and Global Leaders to Descend on Athens for WGES Global™ 2026
Athens is preparing to welcome an international gathering of leaders, experts and representatives from government, academia, science, industry and the world of motorsport as WGES Global™ Athens 2026 takes place from October 6 to 8, 2026.
The three-day international Symposium will bring together specialists and decision-makers to exchange knowledge and explore practical approaches to some of the major challenges facing societies, businesses and communities around the world.
WGES Global™ NOVA Awards
A major highlight of the program will be the WGES Global™ NOVA Awards, scheduled for the evening of October 7 in Athens.
Among the organizations and initiatives being recognized are the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation for its work in climate, biodiversity and ocean protection, as well as Formula 1's Sustainability Strategy and its commitment to achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2030.
Through Nazionale Piloti, Formula 1 drivers and international motorsport personalities are also expected to make special appearances during the event.
Additional 2026 NOVA Award recipients include Dr. Dionysia-Theodora Avgerinopoulou, Professor Ashish Joshi and Myconian Collection Hotels & Resorts.
An International Symposium in Athens
The WGES Global™ Symposium, taking place October 6–8, will focus on a broad range of subjects connected with sustainability, resilience, innovation, technology and international cooperation.
- Energy innovation and sustainable development
- Sustainable construction and high-performance buildings
- Geospatial technologies for wildfire and disaster preparedness
- Sustainable agri-food systems
- Public health and digital intelligence
- Workforce development and education
- International cooperation and knowledge exchange
Ministers and International Leadership
The program includes invitations to representatives and leaders from Greece and abroad, including Dr. Dionysia-Theodora Avgerinopoulou, Greek Prime Minister's Envoy for the Ocean and Chair of the Hellenic Parliament's Environmental Protection Committee.
Other invited governmental representatives include Adonis Georgiadis, Minister of Health of Greece, Dr. Marios Themistocleous, Deputy Minister of Health, Dimitris Papastergiou, Minister of Digital Governance, Nikolaos Hardalias, Regional Governor of Attica, and Senator Antonio Salvatore Germanà of the Italian Republic.
Attendance by governmental representatives remains subject to official schedules and final availability.
International Experts and Speakers
The international speaker roster includes professionals and academics with experience across sustainability, public policy, geospatial technology, public health, science and resilience.
Among those listed are Kevin Kampsroer, former Chief Sustainability Officer of the U.S. General Services Administration; Professor Sabine O'Hara, PhD; Professor Ashish Joshi, MBBS, MPH, PhD; Dr. Reginald Swift; Virginia Gibson; Barbara Ryan; and Vince Ambrosia, recipient of the NASA Outstanding Public Leadership Medal.
The program also includes Kinga Hydras, CEM, CSDP, ASHRAE Fellow, Alkis Triantafyllopoulos, ASHRAE Society Trainer, and Professor Ioannis Gitas of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
University of West Attica and the Academic Program
The University of West Attica (UNIWA) is supporting the academic program through its School of Public Health.
The academic team includes Professor Elpida Pavi, Dean of the School of Public Health, Professor Georgios I. Zakynthinos, Professor Yiannis Koumpouros, Assistant Professor Olga-Eleni Astara, Assistant Professor Michalis Skordoulis, Professor Georgios Priniotakis, Associate Professor Anastasios Sepetis and Nikoletta Anagnostopoulou Bakalarou.
U.S.–Greece Collaboration
WGES Global™ Athens 2026 is being led by Professor Robert J. Gallagher, President and Executive Chairman of WGES Global, Inc., together with members of the U.S.–Greece organizing team and WGES Global leadership.
The Athens leadership team also includes Daisy Gallagher, AMA, CPM, CCH, Executive Lead of the U.S.–Greece Organizing Team, Dr. Kostas Mastorakis, DVM, WGES Global Athens Ambassador and Vice President of Nazionale Piloti, as well as Professor Georgios I. Zakynthinos and Nikoletta Anagnostopoulou Bakalarou.
WGES GLOBAL™ ATHENS 2026
Dates: October 6–8, 2026
Location: Athens, Greece
Venue: National Museum of Contemporary Art
Co-Hosted by: UNIWA School of Public Health – Athens
Partner: Nazionale Piloti (Safe-Drive.org)
PROGRAM · REGISTRATION · TICKETS →NOVA Awards – October 7, 2026
The WGES Global™ NOVA Awards will take place on the evening of October 7, bringing together international guests, academics, business representatives, government officials and personalities from the world of sport and culture.
The ceremony will be held at NYN ESTI, Athens, with awards presented to individuals, organizations and initiatives connected with sustainability, innovation, science and international cooperation.
About WGES Global™
Founded in the United States in 2009, WGES Global™ is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3), non-political nonprofit organization that brings together leaders from government, academia, science, industry and the international community.
Its activities focus on knowledge exchange and practical collaboration in areas including sustainability, public health, resilience, innovation, workforce development and international cooperation.
Hellenic Media Group
The Hellenic Media Group follows international developments in culture, science, technology, sustainability, cinema, business and major international events, bringing stories of global interest to audiences in Greece and abroad.